Call for promoting culture of coexistence

The speakers at the national conference organized by the University of Karachi on “interfaith harmony and co-existence: a solution to rising extremism and intolerance” urged to develop a coexisting culture in the country to avoid extremism and hate against other religions. The event was held at the Chinese Teachers Memorial Auditorium (formally known as Arts Auditorium) on Monday.

The Sanatan Dharma International Society President Professor Dr Manouj Chauhan shared that the Holy Prophet (PBUH) has served humanity. He shared that it has been witnessed that religious card is often misused in Pakistan and this practice has been defaming the country across the globe. He mentioned that war between good and evil is an ongoing phenomenon and it will continue forever.

On this occasion, the KU Vice Chancellor Professor Dr Khalid Mehmood Iraqi said that Islam gives every person the right to perform their worship freely according to their will. “People should respect each other’s religion, and belief and do not disrespect their holy books and places of worship.”

Tushna Patel, the representative Parsi community on CM Sindh’s non-Muslim Welfare Committee, said that peace is a state of security and order within a community. Peace is a way of life in which we respect and love each other in spite of our cultural, religious, and political differences. Peace is essential for the progress of humanity and in general, peace is the absence of war.

Sardar Amar Singh, who belongs to the Sikh community, said that all world religions teach peace, love, and brotherhood. The religious books of all religions reject linguistics, extremism, violence, and nihilism.

Meanwhile, the member of the Islamic Ideological Council, Dr Umair Mehmood Siddiqui said that harmful and fabricated content created through social media is spreading chaos in Pakistan. He mentioned that people who do not have awareness are easily fall victim to it.

The KU Dean of Arts and Social Sciences Professor Dr Shaista Tabasim said that detailed and deliberated dialogues and discussion would be required to resolve the problem we are facing nowadays.

Another speaker, Dr Moshin Naqvi said ducational institutions can play a crucial role in promoting interfaith harmony in society. The Coordinator of the Conference Dr Aziz ur Rehman Saifee observed that interfaith harmony culture can be promoted through encouraging dialogue culture in society.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 29^th, 2023.